The Parts Place - Hoarding OEM gauges + more

[Aceshigh]

A few little things I figured I'd share with the Oldsmobile board.

First, I live in the burbs of Chicago so there's ALOT of places closer to me to
get parts for both of my classic vehicles then most people have this nearby.
So I can share these experiences so you know what you're up against when
purchasing parts and paying for shipping , etc etc.

First, I realized just last week that The Parts Place is nearby my house, only
40 minutes away and I had been using Tamraz Auto Parts which is 45-an hour
away. So I decided to cruise up to The Parts Place to get some parts since they
claimed to make most of the parts OTHER vendors were buying to resell like Fusick,
and Tamraz, etc. I was like.....COOL!!!! All right by me....win win for me right??

So I go in there, and the first thing I notice is a HUGE stockpile of parts out
of salvaged 442's, GTO's, Chevelle's, Camaro's, etc. The one thing that caught
my eye was the 3 shelves 4 feet long each of gauges. I was curious if they had
any of the TAC's with the clock for the 442 instead of that regular clock I have.
Sure enough....I found at least 3 of them sitting there. .

So I grabbed one and walked up to the desk saying "Hey.....how much??"
The guy who runs the shop, tells me -"They're not for sale".
I says - "huh ??? Why is that??, What are you doing with all these gauges then??"
Him - "We are keeping them, but we sell repops if you need one".
Me - "So are you hoarding all the gauges out of old cars to sell your repops?"
Him - "No we just can't ask $1200 a gauge for them anymore so we'd rather keep them and sell our repops for $429 a gauge".


FYI too
The replacement gauge bezel, and woodgrain with the metal backing that
costs roughly $130 for both pieces......good luck lining it up, and they won't
do anything other then sell you parts that don't line up. Even tho they
claim to have these parts MADE for them, they can't do anything about it.

You have to dremel it up to get it to fit even remotely close......
I know it's ALOT to ask to have 2 pieces of plastic they are charging ridiculous
amounts of money for to ACTUALLY line up......God forbid....

[Oldsguy]

That sounds strange to me.

[wolfman98]

can you imagine paying $1200.00 for a guage They are probably hoarding as many as they can and when there are no more to be found then they got you by the balls if you want NOS parts for your car.Doesn't suprise me that they would do this cause it's win-win for them.

[wmachine]

Just one of many examples of what happens when someone is in it just for the money. And trust me, there are worse things going on for the same reason.

[rocketraider]

since they claimed to make most of the parts OTHER vendors were buying to resell like Fusick

I wouldn't bet the farm on that. Fusick has always made almost all of their own stuff as well as reselling to other vendors.

Shenanigans like this make me glad I fool with the big cars. You don't see near as much of this with big car stuff, not even Starfire stuff, though it's well known a few people are hoarding that too.

Don't even get me started on the "NOS is best!" crowd out in CA.

From what aces is saying, these are not even NOS gage clusters. You'd probably drop another grand in them having them restored to look and function right.

Just another reason to leave a car as the factory built it and not gussy it up with a lot of options it didn't come with, just because "that's the way I'd have ordered it new!"

Yah right. You were doing good to make the payments on a bare-bones Chevrolet back then.

I know a GTO guy who used to actually lose sleep because his car didn't have every available option. He was obsessed with having them and spent nearly what the car was worth trying to accumulate them. Airboddy to they own mental illness...

[wmachine]

Originally Posted by rocketraider

I wouldn't bet the farm on that. Fusick has always made almost all of their own stuff as well as reselling to other vendors.

Shenanigans like this make me glad I fool with the big cars. You don't see near as much of this with big car stuff, not even Starfire stuff, though it's well known a few people are hoarding that too.

Don't even get me started on the "NOS is best!" crowd out in CA.

From what aces is saying, these are not even NOS gage clusters. You'd probably drop another grand in them having them restored to look and function right.

Just another reason to leave a car as the factory built it and not gussy it up with a lot of options it didn't come with, just because "that's the way I'd have ordered it new!"

Yah right. You were doing good to make the payments on a bare-bones Chevrolet back then.

I know a GTO guy who used to actually lose sleep because his car didn't have every available option. He was obsessed with having them and spent nearly what the car was worth trying to accumulate them. Airboddy to they own mental illness...

X2 for sure!!!

[Olds64]

I wonder if the Parts Place has spare tires with the original air still in them? I need one for my restoration so I can get the extra points from the judges.

[Lady72nRob71]

I suspected about them hoarding parts.
I called them looking for a used trunk solenoid - $350. Used door lock solenoids, 250 each. Used power window switch set - 150. The first two items they did not seem to want to sell in the first place...

I do know that some parts they make and sell to Fusick. The remote hood lock for Cutlass is one example - the PP name is stamped right in the handle bracket - scared the heck out of me... That also explained why the hood latch part did not fit without grinding open the radiator support hole so the hood closed straight.

I do wish the fit of their stuff was better - I know of about 6 things now that they sell and do not fit right. If you tell them about it, they just say something like, "it is wrong, but it is right - go away!" See my power window thread for one episode where I got into it with them on the phone... One of my nearby coworkers asked me, "What kind of $%@& -#$&@ company are you dealing with??"

Live and learn, learn to make fit...

[joe_padavano]

And as I always say, don't confuse ASKING price with SELLING price. They are certainly within their rights to ask $1200. We are also within our rights to thumb our noses at them.

As for hoarding Rally Pacs, well, I might be a little guilty of that too, as there are about half a dozen sets in my barn. Of course, I also have that many 442s to put them in...

[agtw31]

parts place is in business to make money.

it was their money that bought those rally pacs that they don't want to sell.

if you can find a better reproduction rally pac setup,go buy it,then let us know how much better it is than the parts place setup.

[Lady72nRob71]

As we all know, Joe hoards 442's...

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Lady72nRob71

As we all know, Joe hoards 442's...

Yeah, er, well...

The good news is that since I sold my company last year, I actually have time to start working off the backlog of projects. The bad news is that the first 442 is a couple of projects down on the list yet. On the other hand, I AM making progress for the first time in almost a decade.

[wolfman98]

Geez maybe in a few years we will see a 442 museum in northern VA
Or do you have enough kids to leave them to Joe

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by wolfman98

Geez maybe in a few years we will see a 442 museum in northern VA
Or do you have enough kids to leave them to Joe

Just the one. He's finally seen the light and wants to build a 442 to replace his 2004 Evo. I will say that the Evo turned a best of 10.67 (yes - in the quarter, not the eight).

[Aceshigh]

Originally Posted by rocketraider

From what aces is saying, these are not even NOS gage clusters. You'd probably drop another grand in them having them restored to look and function right.

Yes, that is exactly what I was saying.

Some were in decent condition, some were in need of major restoration.
I just think that's shady for a hobby , to hoard all the parts , like go way
out of your way to dry up the used parts market so you can corner people
into buying your OER parts.

I can also say I'm calling Fusick from now on for any parts I think might need
more attention to detail getting them to fit. For the prices they charge I expect
a little better answer then "Sorry, we don't make them you're S.O.L. ".

[MN71W30]

Alot of people have been hoarding parts for years and got stung when the repops hit the scene. The Olds grills, tachs etc were in big demand and they put the squeeze on us. I know a GTO hoarder not too happy with the repop parts that drove his prices way down. I bought a 69 SS396 Chevelle about 12 years ago and only bought it because it was complete and I didn't have to kiss anybodys hind end for parts. It's nice having the option for original parts or quality repops. The original stuff is still out there you just have to look and pay the price. I remember having to cut 1/4 panels off a 69 442 behind a barn for a 68 442 I had. I like the way things are now as compared to 25 years ago.

[wolfman98]

guess they make good rally cars , still there's nothing like the feel and sound of a true beast.

[442much]

Originally Posted by MN71W30

Alot of people have been hoarding parts for years and got stung when the repops hit the scene. The Olds grills, tachs etc were in big demand and they put the squeeze on us. I know a GTO hoarder not too happy with the repop parts that drove his prices way down. I bought a 69 SS396 Chevelle about 12 years ago and only bought it because it was complete and I didn't have to kiss anybodys hind end for parts. It's nice having the option for original parts or quality repops. The original stuff is still out there you just have to look and pay the price. I remember having to cut 1/4 panels off a 69 442 behind a barn for a 68 442 I had. I like the way things are now as compared to 25 years ago.

My 442 has all original body panels and interior because NO ONE made parts for it once GM stopped and I had to make sure that the parts lasted. I hoarded parts and don't feel bad about it. Now I see the parts being reproduced for our (1973-77) cars. I still have mouldings, interior and other parts that are not being reproduced yet but that I picked up in junk yards in the early 80's. I have Rallye packs, speedo's, consoles, swivel bases, mirrors, bumper fillers etc. You do what you can to keep your car alive. You guys with the 64-72 cars can pretty well buy whatever you need. We 73-77 guys have to have some imagination and a lot of luck. But our day is coming.

[The Stickman]

Something similar but different. We have found a place that we went to and asked about buying an engine and trans and bascially never got a response. This wasn't over the phone but in person. It was as if we never asked the question. I could say more but won't.

[rocketraider]

There's a difference between hoarding parts for your own use and hoarding parts hoping to corner or manipulate the market.

[wolfman98]

Us little guys hoarding parts don't really affect the market in parts very much simply because we don't have the money to corner any market. A big buisness that is buying up all the junkers and stripping out those NOS parts guys are looking for only to sell there own aftermarket parts is almost criminal , but legal. The only thing we can do is stop buying from them and inform as many people as possible. Reminds me of McDonalds stopping buying beef from canada and U.S. because they say we don't have enough beef , but they now buy beef from South America where they have no laws on steroids and pesticides etc. just because it's cheaper for them. Never liked McDonalds anyway

[citcapp]

The local pull a part yard counter guy told me that they have standing requests backed with dollars from parts collectors to be notified when certain cars hit the yard they are striped within a couple of hours of all of the good parts. An example is any early disc brake car up through the 80's. Found that out when I was looking for parts for my disc brake conversion.

[MN71W30]

There is a hoarder not too far from me that had about 75 cars in a field. I saw with my own eyes a 427 impala hard top a couple 442's and other cars. Even 25 years ago the guy thought his stuff was gold and you coudn't buy a thing from the A-Hole. Now the cars are still rotting in the field and the city is on his butt. I guess the jokes on him.

[agtw31]

Originally Posted by rocketraider

There's a difference between hoarding parts for your own use and hoarding parts hoping to corner or manipulate the market.

it's called capitalism.

[Aceshigh]

Originally Posted by agtw31

it's called capitalism.

Any business falls under the generic term "capitalism"
"Ethics" is what we are talking about here.
Capitalism doesn't have a definition for hoarding or drying up the market to sell your product.

I could blow up my competitions buildings.....is that also Capitalism ??
We're talking about Ethics.

[wolfman98]

Kind of like how big oil companies raise the price by restricting their output. many companies practice capitalism in order to inflate their bottom line unfortunately it ends up hurting the average American and Canadian by buying stuff from south American compaies or Asian companies. China comes to mind , they do buy limited American cars but only if the plant is in china and the parts are made there as well as the parts suppliers??? Maybe we should have the same regulations on all things sold in north america that comes from China

[Oldsguy]

Just so we don't mis-interpret the word here and give it a bad image (wich to some it has already by it's own merits). From Websters 21st Century Dictionary of the English Language:

Capitalism, noun. econimic system based on investment or lending at interest of privately owned money.

I think what is being described here is not capitalism, it is a business practise. I think this business practise can be applied in more economic systems than just capitalism. I agree with aces that it's ethicly distasteful to me and I wouldn't do it nor appreciate those who do. I also agree with Andy that it is legal and there is nothing we can do to stop them from practising it.

[agtw31]

Originally Posted by Aceshigh

Capitalism doesn't have a definition for hoarding or drying up the market to sell your product.

there are no ethics in capitalism.

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

Capitalism, noun. econimic system based on investment or lending at interest of privately owned money.

.

this is done everyday in every Kroger's,Giant Eagle,WalMart,Albertson's,and other grocery chains across the US.

it's a standard business practice,creating demand by manipulating the market,by investing in a certain product...

grocery stores leave certain products in the warehouse and off the shelf,so youll buy another product they got a better price on,in turn creating more profit for the store.

grocery store chains will buy up all the stock of a certain item,if they know a competiitor is selling for less.

this is hoarding,and creating a demand for a product they now are the only supplier of.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by agtw31

this is hoarding,and creating a demand for a product they now are the only supplier of.

So what's your point? They have invested their own funds to stockpile a commodity with the hope that the value will go up in the future. They by no means have EVERY rally pac ever made. This is common business practice. The alternative is socialism, and look how well that's turned out.

[Jamesbo]

Some of ole pharts remember the Hunt Brothers trying to corner the Silver market back in the late 70's. Eventually the Bubble bust and they went "Tango Uniform"

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by coldwar

I've long thought what happens with scarce OEM used or new parts we need for our cars, and are willing to buy but cannot readily do so due to a limitless ceiling, could be classed as price fixing, at least that is what the federalis define the practice as, in certain venues of commerce.

I'll respectfully disagree. There will ALWAYS be someone with more money (just look at Barrett Jackson), which causes the price to go up. If someone had the foresight (and excess cash) to stockpile parts when they were available then sells them later when the prices are higher, more power to them. More importantly, while you may be unhappy that you cannot afford a particular item, the reality is that if you account for inflation and the cost of tying up that inventory for 20+ years, the seller isn't really making a killing. There are (and always will be) much better ways of investing. Cars and related parts are far from a good investment - despite what BJ will have you think.

[wolfman98]

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

Just so we don't mis-interpret the word here and give it a bad image (wich to some it has already by it's own merits). From Websters 21st Century Dictionary of the English Language:

Capitalism, noun. econimic system based on investment or lending at interest of privately owned money.

I think what is being described here is not capitalism, it is a business practise. I think this business practise can be applied in more economic systems than just capitalism. I agree with aces that it's ethicly distasteful to me and I wouldn't do it nor appreciate those who do. I also agree with Andy that it is legal and there is nothing we can do to stop them from practising it.

So what Fanny Mae and Freddie mac did would be classified as capitalism. Same for oil companies and all other big companies that try to manipulate the markets in their favor. This was a case of ethics where they plain want you to buy their stuff and if you want OEM then you will pay through the nose for it.

[agtw31]

Originally Posted by wolfman98

This was a case of ethics where they plain want you to buy their stuff and if you want OEM then you will pay through the nose for it.

how many rally pacs does parts place have?

500?
1000??


all you have to do is place a wanted ad at 442.com and youll have 20 emails in an hour from people wanting to sell you a rally pac

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by wolfman98

So what Fanny Mae and Freddie mac did would be classified as capitalism ........

Were they investing in used car car parts?

Norm

[Aceshigh]

Originally Posted by agtw31

there are no ethics in capitalism.

You're starting to make me think you're an attorney of some kind.
Well this is where our conversation on this topic ends. You have your own perception.
There's no sense beating a horse over opinions.

Originally Posted by wolfman98

So what Fanny Mae and Freddie mac did would be classified as capitalism. Same for oil companies and all other big companies that try to manipulate the markets in their favor. This was a case of ethics where they plain want you to buy their stuff and if you want OEM then you will pay through the nose for it.

Bingo.

[wolfman98]

Just using them as a reference to help define what is capitalism.Goes towards bad buisness practice.One could say that buying up OEM parts could be considered a capital venture similar to those brothers buying up silver.Supply and demand can set prices. High demand and limited supply usually means higher prices.OPEC cuts their output of oil to try to inflate the prices for oil.other big companies try to "corner the market" by buying out the competition or pricing them out of buisness. Microsoft comes to mind as having questionable practices.This case of hoarding OEM guages was described as a bad ethical practice. Probably but it happens all the time from small buisneses to mega corporations. The pricing of some "muscle cars" has skyrocketed in recent years because of demand.Look at what guys are asking for a so called "Elanor" car. Because it was in Gone in 60 Seconds now the car is worth 150,000??? I have seen them advertised for 135-170 thousand. Who buys these? Try to find a 67-69 Shelby 350 or 500 for under 100,000. I even see GTO's for huge amounts. I guess there are guys who have money and want the car of their youth that they could not afford them then but will pay any price for them now.With the current depression maybe prices will come down a little , just glad that my Olds is still affordable. I can relate to some guys collecting extra parts for their cars especially if you can get them at a reasonable price cause they won't stay affordable forever.

[Boldsmobile]

Originally Posted by rocketraider

I wouldn't bet the farm on that. Fusick has always made almost all of their own stuff as well as reselling to other vendors

Last part i bought from Fusicks said parts place on it.

I will still buy at Fusick, even if they are just reselling it.

[weasel]

Interesting thread, learning a lot about parts availability and pricing. I joined about a week ago to improve resource base for finding parts. My first parts-wanted post, for '69 parking light bucket, got 0 replies. Sort of surprized me, just figured someone would have a parts car and wouldn't miss it. Now I am wondering if "big parts companies" and E-bay may be hoarding parking light buckets to drive up the price.

[agtw31]

put wanted ad on 442.com

[Cameo White]

Hey Weasel,
I don't have a bucket, but I have a pair of NOS parking lamp lenses for a 69 cutlass/442 if you need them. I think I also have a decent used one, but don't remember which side right now.